Author: Huenemann

Read a book review on the topic here. Sample passage:

Though clearly fond of the bioethicist-physicians, bioethicist-philosophers, and bioethicist-legal scholars they interviewed, Fox and Swazey describe themselves as “critical of what we regard as the field’s deficiencies and blind spots.” They identify these as the use of dumbed-down teaching formulae, an insensitivity to cultural differences, and the tendency of American bioethicists to emphasize “individual rights, and rationality” instead of “community, and common good,” which are the values that Fox and Swazey favor.

Fox and Swazey claim bioethicists would do better if they stuck to policy and economic questions, but the reviewer isn’t sure why.

… according to Business Week:

The financial and climate crises, global consumption habits, and other 21st-century challenges call for a “killer app.” I think I’ve found it: philosophy.

Philosophy can help us address the (literally) existential challenges the world currently confronts, but only if we take it off the back burner and apply it as a burning platform in business.

See the TLS review of philosopher Roger Scruton’s new book, Understanding Music. An excerpt:

Just as facial expressions do not communicate something that can be understood so much as enjoin us to imagine what it feels like when we ourselves make such an expression, so too, according to Scruton, does some elemental aspect of musical experience enjoin us to engage our imagining in similar fashion. In this way, and because the experience of music is not, at least not typically, heard as a single expression, the imagination is forced to grapple with the musical shapes and forms as they unfold over time, following its movement as it echoes in, or is anticipated by, the movements of our body and rational imagination.

It was a big night last night. First, Aaron Orlovitz Johnson gave a splendid presentation of living with absurdity in a godless universe, deftly fielding objections from a packed house. It was most impressive. The talk was videoed, and I am guessing it will be available on the SHAFT website sometime soon.

Then there was the first ever Philosophy Club concert, which was a performance of songs by David Bazan about living between faith and doubt. The musicians (Andrew Royer, Cody Howell, and Dillon Cooper) performed with excellence, to a very receptive audience.

I have to say, I’m really impressed by these events. It’s made me think that perhaps the best thing I could do to encourage good philosophical dialogue on campus is to make some venues available — and then get out of the way!

Over in “announcements,” on the right.